Here are the only competitive City Council races in New York

John Quaglione, former aide to Republican state Sen. Martin Golden, is going up against Justin Brannan in District 43.

In New York City politics, the saying goes, the only vote that matters is in September—but that's not the case some districts.

There are two contests whose outcome is uncertain, a rarity in such a Democratic city (or, in much of Staten Island, where conservative voters dominate). Both are in Brooklyn and—unsurprisingly—in areas with a history of two-party rule.

Even in a chamber of 51 members, the two races could tilt the competition for the next council speaker, which in turn will determine what legislation crosses the mayor's desk in the upcoming four years.

District 43

This swath of southern Brooklyn, encompassing Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst and Bath Beach, awarded the majority of its votes to Hillary Clinton last fall. At the same time, its Republican state Sen. Martin Golden won unopposed—as did GOP Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, whose Staten Island-based seat stretches into Bay Ridge and who now seeks to unseat Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Malliotakis' candidacy and de Blasio's enormous unpopularity in the district could boost the fortunes of Golden aide John Quaglione, running on the Republican line. Quaglione sought the seat in 2013, losing to incumbent Democratic Councilman Vincent Gentile by nearly 30 points. But term limits prevent Gentile from seeking re-election, so his aide Justin Brannan is running to keep the district's 14-year blue streak going.

Given de Blasio's unpopularity in the ethnic white neighborhoods of western Brooklyn, Quaglione has pointed to Brannan's short stint in the mayor's Department of Education, and recalled that his opponent's political club endorsed de Blasio in 2013. At a recent debate, the Republican even claimed a Democratic victory would "guarantee" the de Blasio administration targets the district for a new jail and a homeless shelter—anathema to an area that has historically fought to preserve its property values and middle-class character. (There is virtually no chance of a jail being located so far from the court facilities in downtown Brooklyn.)

Brannan has accused Quaglione of campaigning on "doom and gloom," and has played up his links to the popular Gentile and to local community groups. The longterm trends favor the Democrat, but a robust performance by Malliotakis could raise all GOP boats.

Complicating the contest further is the longshot candidacy of Reform Party candidate Bob Capano, who left the Republican Party after losing the September primary and could siphon a few votes from Quaglione.

District 44

The ultra-Orthodox Jews who dominate the electorate in Borough Park and Midwood favored Trump last fall. But a bitter feud between two conservative Democrats has defined local politics.

Incumbent Councilman David Greenfield pulled a last minute switcheroo on his constituents in July: announcing he would leave his seat at the year's end instead of seeking another term. Because the incumbent revealed his decision after the paperwork to participate in the party primaries was due, a handpicked group of his allies got to choose a candidate to take his place on the Democratic and Conservative lines. At Greenfield's word, they selected his protege, Kalman Yeger, who had been running in an adjoining district, where he lived.

Greenfield's caginess nettled local religious leaders, but they resigned themselves to Yeger's candidacy. Greenfield's nemesis, local Assemblyman Dov Hikind, did not. He had his son, Yoni, petition to run on an independent line.

The question now hangs over the district: Is the Hikind name enough to overcome the structural advantage of having two established party lines?

Other contests to watch

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj dispatched Democratic district leader Marjorie Velazquez in their party's primary for the Bronx's 13th District. But sources tell Crain's Velazquez is looking to carry on her candidacy in the majority-Hispanic district on the Working Families Party line. John Cerini, a local businessman and community activist is running an energetic bid on the GOP line. But Gjonaj's massive fundraising advantage gives him an advantage even if Velazquez rejoins the fray.

Trump crushed Clinton in Brooklyn's 48th District, the right-leaning home turf of Democratic Councilman Chaim Deutsch. Still, the incumbent has massively outraised and outspent Republican Steve Saperstein, a special needs teacher. If Saperstein edges closer this time, look for him to run again in 2021—when term limits push Deutsch out of office.

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